Golden Mussel Prevention Project (SNC1967-RT)

Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) would provide funding to Mammoth Lakes Recreation to install self-serve watercraft decontamination stations at existing boat launches and shoreline access areas on lands managed by the United States Forest Service within the Inyo National Forest in Mono County, California. Specific sites for the decontamination stations would include the June Lake Junction General Store and Gas Station, Lake Mamie picnic and parking area, and Convict Lake boat launch. The purpose of the project is to prevent the introduction and establishment of golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) in water bodies of the Eastern Sierra, which can be unintentionally spread by boaters through contaminated watercraft and gear. Golden mussels pose a substantial threat to freshwater ecosystems because they cannot be eradicated once established. Each proposed decontamination station would consist of a self-serve, waterless, and fully self-contained cleaning system that would provide the public with free built-in tools, including a wet/dry vacuum, blower system, and tethered hand tools to remove water, mud, vegetation, and debris from watercraft. Installation of the decontamination stations would occur within existing developed or previously disturbed recreation areas (e.g., paved parking lots, boat launch staging areas, and shoreline access areas) and would not require grading, vegetation removal, or new utility connections. The stations would be mounted on trailers, allowing them to be relocated among sites during the recreation season and stored in the winter months. Operation of the decontamination station would be primarily self-service. Staff would periodically place, maintain, and service the decontamination stations, as well as provide education, outreach, and data collection.